Follow the Jesse James Gang
INDEPENDENCE, MO, August 9, 2007. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Hollywood's latest version of the saga of Jesse James and friends, is due to be released September 21, 2007. For those who are caught up in the legend of these frontier era outlaws regarded as heroes by many, it's a great time to visit tourism sites associated with their story.
Although the shots at Fort Sumter officially started the Civil War in 1861, many scholars believe the "border" wars between Kansas and Missouri five years earlier mark the actual beginning of the war between the states. Lootings, burning of homes and retaliatory killings in pro-slavery Missouri and free-state Kansas were savage, bitter and often involved neighbors fighting neighbors.
In an attempt to control disorder and violence on both sides of the state line, the 1859 Jail was built in Independence, Missouri. While the guerilla raids into Kansas continued, Union forces jailed hundreds of Southern sympathizers, including women and children. Quantrill's Raiders, a group of Confederate guerillas, sought revenge. They burned, looted and killed 200 men in the infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas.
In retaliation, General Ewing issued Order No. 11, placing the area under martial law. If residents did not sign an oath of loyalty to the Union, they were forced to leave. As a result, more than 20,000 people were driven out of their homes and farms , and those who refused to leave were incarcerated.
Jesse James' older brother Frank joined a guerilla band of Confederates in 1863 and soon thereafter, threw in his lot with Quantrill's Raiders. Though Jesse never fought in the Civil War as a soldier, he also became a "bushwacker" guerilla, joining "Bloody Bill" Anderson in 1864 and later riding with Quantrill as well. After the war ended, Frank, Jesse, the four Younger brothers and other key members of Quantrill's Raiders used the remaining animosities of local residents to garner support. Their strong base of sympathy and the feeling of the Jackson County citizens that the James gang were heroes allowed them to stay a step ahead of the law for nearly twenty years.
After Jesse's violent death in 1882, Frank was afraid of being assassinated and turned himself into for protection. Although Frank was accused of being a bank and train robber as well as a murderer, he was shown special treatment during his six months as a guest at the Jail. . People brought in gifts and furnished his cell with a Brussels carpet, fine furniture and paintings. Frank was allowed to leave his cell and visit freely with other inmates, eat dinner occasionally with the marshal or even take a walk around the Square or enjoy outings to the opera. Card games were a nightly affair in Frank's luxurious cell.
Today, visitors can see Frank's furnished cell, complete with a picture of his favorite author William Shakespeare hanging over his bed. When Frank came to trial, he was acquitted after only five minutes of deliberation by the jury. He was never convicted of any crime. Following his cremation years later, his ashes were buried in Hill Park Cemetery in Independence. His wife, Independence school teacher Anna Ralston, was later buried by his side. The James headstone is easily located today in the Hill Park cemetery just north of 23rd Street, on 20th and Ralston, just a few minutes drive from the 1859 Jail.
Exhibits on the Border and Civil wars, Order number 11 and other famous guerilla and outlaw Jail residents such as William Clarke Quantrill are on display in the museum which adjoins the jail cellblock.
A covered wagon historical tour which shares stories about Frank, Jesse and other members of the James gang, is offered April through the end of December (weather permitting) around historic Independence by Pioneer Trails Adventures.
For information on other sites and attractions, special events or lodging, contact Independence Tourism, 816-325-7111 or www.visitindependence.com
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